Title

Author

Document Type

Date of Degree Completion

Summer 2016

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nutrition

Committee Chair

David L. Gee

Second Committee Member

Nicole Stendell-Hollis

Third Committee Member

Casey Mace

Abstract

A newly calculated anthropometric measurement (A Body Shape Index, ABSI) was introduced as a more reliable index of body composition than waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). ABSI was reported as a stronger predictor for mortality. Thus far, the relationship between ABSI and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has not been studied on a large U.S. population. The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to determine whether ABSI is a better predictor of the risk of MetS and its individual risk factors than BMI on a large and diverse sample of the U.S. population using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2012. The study conducted had a total of 6,921 non-pregnant, non-lactating, fasted adults (≥20 years). Anthropometric measurements (WC, weight, and height) were obtained by qualified personnel. ABSI was defined as WC (m) / [BMI 2/3 × height (m) 1/2]. The revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition was used to diagnose MetS. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were conducted using SAS 9.2. Simple logistic and multiple regression analysis (adjusted for age, gender, and ethnicity) showed that all of the odds ratios (OR) for BMI quartiles were higher than ABSI quartiles for MetS and each individual MetS risk factor. Therefore, this study concludes that BMI is a better predictor of MetS and each individual MetS risk factor in the general U.S. population.